London Day 3- Tower of London

 We started off Day 3 by visiting the Tower of London. It's real name is actually Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress. It was founded in 1066 as a grand palace and used as a royal residence. The white tower on the property was used as a prison from 1100 until 1952. The Tower has served variously as an armory, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public records office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. 

While there, we got to see the crown jewels from the past and present in all their glory! 

But we couldn't take any pictures. It was fascinating. This is where they keep all the crowns and scepters, even now. They take them out for special occasions and ceremonies. I've never seen so many jewels in my life! They had some that were on moving walkways, and i kept going around and around that thing, just to get a better view- haha! 

We could see the Tower Bridge from the grounds.

Steve and Karen- world travelers!

Caught Adam in a yawn- hehe. But check out that blue sky- makes the building even prettier.

Inside the armory was pretty cool to see. Some of these suits of armor were HUGE! Like big guys wore them. 

The cod pieces also made us laugh- they were so... exaggerated!

We were laughing so hard- Adam took this close-up view- haha!

The gifts royals from other countries used to give- bears and elephants.

Funny mask- but at least they were protected? I would think a menacing face would have been a better fit for war??

Japanese armor.

I can't remember why these horse sculptures were there- I think they made them of the royal horses...

Helmets along the top.

Adam looking at vintage weapons.

Giant ledger book for the armory. Read below:

The biggest armor next to the tiniest armor. Some of the kings were just kids, so they had armor too, probably only for ceremony or show purposes, but still. 

Close up of the tiny helmet.

Beautiful hallway.

Dragon made of weapons- took this for the boys.

We kept crossing paths with a school group of what looked like first graders and there were all these displays of how they tortured prisoners and beheaded them. Scary for little kids to see!

Tiny milk! We had a grocery store around the corner from our hotel, so we would pack our backpack full of fruit and things and eat them around town. Especially this pregnant girl.

We had a great morning! 

Next post- Abbey Road!